WARWICK MAN TIMOTHY GARRISON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AT HEATHROW AIRPORT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Warwick community, Timothy Garrison, a 60-year-old resident of Emscote Road in Warwick, was formally convicted and sentenced for the heinous sexual abuse of a young girl during the early 1990s. The disturbing events came to light after Garrison was apprehended at Heathrow Airport last month, as he disembarked from a flight returning to the United Kingdom from the Philippines.

Garrison had previously pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault against his nine-year-old victim. The prosecution, led by Alex Warren, detailed the horrifying circumstances of the abuse, which occurred when Garrison was trusted by the girl’s mother. During the early 1990s, Garrison took the young girl to his residence in Leamington, where he subjected her to a series of disturbing acts. According to court reports, he played a pornographic video for her to watch and then proceeded to remove her clothing, despite her hysterical crying and evident distress. The court heard that Garrison ignored her pleas and tears, sexually assaulting her before instructing her to get dressed and then taking her home.

The victim, who was too frightened to speak out at the time, only confided in her mother in her late teens. It was then that she revealed the abuse she had endured as a child. Unfortunately, by that time, Garrison had already left the country to reside in the Philippines, and the matter was not reported to authorities at that time. It was only towards the end of the previous year that she decided to come forward and make a formal complaint, citing the lasting impact the trauma has had on her life.

Garrison’s arrest at Heathrow Airport marked a significant development in the case. Upon his return to the UK, he immediately admitted to the abuse, although he contested one aspect of the victim’s account. During the court proceedings, Judge Alan Parker emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “This is disturbingly serious without that factor being part of the prosecution case.”

Throughout the hearing, the victim was present in court, accompanied by a support worker. Judge Parker acknowledged her heartfelt letter, describing the profound and enduring effects of the abuse over more than two decades. Garrison, who chose to represent himself, offered a brief explanation, attributing his past behavior to financial difficulties and a high sex drive at the time. When questioned about whether there was any justification for his actions, Garrison responded candidly, “Not really.” He also expressed remorse, acknowledging the suffering he caused and admitting that he had experienced guilt, shame, and torment for nearly 19 years.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Parker emphasized the seriousness of the offense, imposing a four-year prison term and a sexual offences prevention order that prohibits Garrison from having unsupervised contact with children. The judge clarified that the sentence was based on the laws applicable at the time of the offense, which means Garrison will not automatically be released after serving half of his sentence. Garrison concluded his statement by asserting that he is a ‘born-again Christian’ and maintaining that he has never re-offended and never would.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing childhood abuse, and it serves as a stark reminder of the lasting scars such crimes leave on victims and their families.